PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Jennifer Dugan, Ph.D., has been named Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at the University of Pikeville following a national search. She will assume her role on July 20 and succeeds Tom Hess, Ph.D., who will be returning to the classroom in August to pursue his passion for teaching UPIKE chemistry students.
Dugan obtained her doctoral degree in political science from the University of California Riverside and a bachelor’s degree in political science from California State University, Los Angeles. Her dissertation, which focused on agricultural policies and tobacco farming in Cuba, reflects a deep interest in social movements and democracy. Dugan has written on shifts in international humanitarian law since September 2001 and presented her work at professional conferences, including with student co-authors as well as local civic groups.
With a passion for teaching, Dugan began a nearly 20-year career teaching courses in international law, human rights and global issues. Serving as Chair of Global Studies at Randolph College (formerly Randolph-Macon Women’s College) from 1997-2016, Dugan worked with colleagues, alumni, students and donors to strengthen global and intercultural programming. A proponent of applied learning, she led a student delegation to the National Model United Nations conference in New York each spring, where students grappled with many of the world’s most pressing issues, an experience she considers to be one of the highlights of her teaching career.
Recognized for her teaching, research and mentoring, Dugan received Randolph College’s award for bringing outstanding distinction to the college in 2008 and for distinguished teaching in 2007. She served as an American Council on Education Fellow from 2009 to 2010 and is a strong supporter of professional development for faculty and staff. Dedicated to shared governance, at Randolph College, Dugan served on a range of committees, including the Academic Personnel Committee, the Faculty Representative Committee and the student-run Judiciary Committee.
Currently, Dugan serves as Director of Faculty Programs at the Associated Colleges of the South, a consortium of 16 private liberal arts colleges spanning Virginia to Texas. Her experiences demonstrate the importance of partnerships to foster innovation, inclusive excellence and professional networks.
She is eager to help advance collaboration to enhance arts and sciences programming, professional development and student success at UPIKE, including through the university’s membership in the Appalachian College Association.
“I am overjoyed to be joining the UPIKE family,” said Dugan. “The dedication of faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences, the university leadership team and the Pikeville community combine to make this a truly wonderful opportunity. My husband and I look forward to making our home in Pikeville, and I couldn’t be more ready to serve CAS and play a part in the campus community.”
UPIKE looks forward to Dugan’s leadership.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Jennifer Dugan to the UPIKE family,” said Lori Werth, Ph.D., provost. “Dr. Dugan’s experience within the liberal arts, faculty development and her perspective on global studies have positioned her to lead the College of Arts and Sciences at UPIKE.”
Dugan is married to John Wood (JW), an architect, and has two adult daughters and extended family who live in southwest Virginia and North Carolina.
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